Let's Play!: Jack-in-a-Can

When a baby is getting the hang of object permanence (the idea that something still exists even when it can't be seen), any game where things appear and disappear is a hit. While traditional windup jack-in-the-boxes can still be too startling or scary at this age, you can make a baby-friendlier one yourself using simple materials from around the house.

Let's Play!: Jack-in-a-can (Source: Baby Centre)
Appropriate for: 6 to 10 months
Skills developed: Understanding of object permanence
What you'll need: A coffee can, yogurt carton, or large paper cup; a chopstick, pencil, or ruler; a small colorful toy (a finger puppet works best); some tape or glue

Punch a hole in the bottom of the container. Insert a chopstick, pencil, or ruler (even a stick from your garden will do) through the hole, then glue or tape to the tip a small stuffed animal or plastic figure. Even better, use a finger puppet (just slip it over the end of the stick and secure it with a bit of tape).
Now you have a hand-operated pop-up toy: Pull the stick down so the toy or puppet is hidden inside the can or cup, then push it up suddenly when you want the jack-in-the-can to greet your baby.

Dad bought a small bear key chain for this activity and reused the cup and the straw from "Fruitas" (he can't find one red cup in the supermarket so he improvised). Dad spent P74 only for this activity (P39 for the bear and P45 for the fruit shake).

Dad forgot to wash the used cup before he went to the PPCRV meeting in our Parish, so when he arrived home, he saw a lot of ants feasting on the cup. Anyway, it took him a couple of minutes to finished his props then the activity begun. At first, I was just staring on what my dad was doing, I was so curious on what was happening. I was grabbing the toy as soon as it popped out from the cup and even grabbed the cup when dad stopped and hide the toy. I was wondering where was the toy, hmmm.

After a couple of minutes of trying to grabbed the toy, dad finally let me hold on it and there was a grin on my face. Surely, this activity is a hit because at this stage of my growth I am curious on my surroundings and the sound I am hearing.

After this activity, we do the "Sound off" activity but I will share it some other time. In the meantime sleep well and wake up early for tomorrow is our country's National Election Day. Let us all pray for wisdom so that we could choose and vote wisely. Remember, it's our future that is at stake.

Have a nice day to all,

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